Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013
1097. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 236 of 21 march 2013, her plans to deal with the considerable variation in geographical coverage of the various agencies she mentions as being part of the CSC initiative (details supplied). [17385/13]
View answerMy Department (DCYA) is leading an initiative to develop and implement a planning model for local interagency working to improve outcomes for children. The purpose of this initiative is to work towards better developmental outcomes for children through more effective integration of policies and services, in particular through the Children’s Services Committees at local level.
The issue of co-terminosity is one which has been under consideration in the context of the development of CSCs for some time, in particular since the establishment of the Integrated Service Areas within the HSE structure. While relationships with the city and county councils have been key, it is also the case that the relationship with the HSE and emerging structures within the HSE at national, regional and local level will be a key interface in the context of the development of a separate Child and Family Agency (CFA).
You may wish to note that in most cases the Child & Family Area Managers are the Chairs of the Children Services Committees and in some instances an Area manager may chair two CSCs, South Tipperary & Carlow and Kildare & South Dublin.
I am confident that my Department against a backdrop of evolving structures will be in a position to address the issues arising from local government reform and the establishment of the new Child and Family Agency. My Department and the Department of Health will be liaising in the context of these matters to ensure that optimal structures and working practices are effected.
